Photo Credit: WAM
Dubai is set to host the inaugural conference examining the role of financial institutions in implementing the UAE Islamic Finance and Halal Industry Strategy 2025–2031 on Wednesday, September 30.
The event is being organised by Al Masraf, the Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the UAE Banks Federation (UBF), under the theme “From Legislation to Growth and Innovation.”
The conference will be opened by Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, in the presence of Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Masraf. Senior officials, decision-makers, banking and regulatory leaders, Sharia scholars and financial experts are also expected to participate.
The event aims to support the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its position as a global centre for Islamic finance and the halal industry, while highlighting how financial institutions can develop innovative financing and investment solutions that support growth, sustainability and competitiveness.
Regulators, financial institutions, Sharia and finance specialists and private-sector representatives will discuss key priorities for implementing the national strategy and improving integration between Islamic finance and industries linked to the halal economy.
The UAE Islamic Finance and Halal Industry Strategy 2025–2031 focuses on increasing the competitiveness of the Islamic finance sector, encouraging innovation and sustainability, strengthening links with the halal industry and expanding cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Under the strategy, the UAE aims to increase local Islamic finance assets to AED2.56 trillion by 2031. Islamic banking assets in the country reached AED1.4 trillion in June 2026, while 43 licensed Islamic financial institutions were operating in the UAE. The country also ranked third globally in the 2025 Islamic Finance Development Indicator.
Fuad Mohamed, CEO of Al Masraf, said the strategy represents an opportunity to strengthen the financial sector’s contribution to the real economy while creating new avenues for investment and growth.
He said the conference will bring regulators, financial institutions, scholars, experts and private-sector representatives together to develop practical solutions, partnerships and initiatives that can contribute to achieving the strategy’s objectives.
Jamal Saleh, Director-General of the UAE Banks Federation, said the country’s banking sector has the expertise and institutional capabilities needed to support the strategy through Sharia-compliant financing products, deeper sukuk markets, investment, innovation and financing for sectors connected to the halal economy.
The conference programme will feature four main sessions covering the strategic and legislative framework for Islamic finance and the halal industry, the role of financial institutions in implementing the strategy, sukuk and financial technology, and governance, risk management, trust and sustainable growth.
Discussions will also focus on fintech and digital platforms, Sharia supervision, investment and financing solutions for halal-related sectors, expanding the sukuk investor base and strengthening cooperation between financial institutions, national authorities and the private sector.
The conference is expected to conclude with a series of recommendations covering financing and investment instruments, sukuk, financial technology, support for halal industry sectors and stronger coordination among stakeholders involved in implementing the UAE’s Islamic finance strategy.
